“It’s nobody’s fault.” She shivered and crossed her arms over her chest. “I guess we’ll have to make the best of it.”
“Let’s clean up in here and talk to Dean. I’ll pay for our rooms and meals. It’s only fair since this was my idea.”
“I’ll take care of my own.” A nervous smile touched her lips. “You didn’t have to twist my arm to come.”
“We’ll discuss it later.” He had no intention of letting her incur a large financial cost on his behalf. He doubted the lodging prices would come at an interstate hotel price. “Do you have all the papers? I wonder if Dean has a plastic bag we can stick them in for protection.”
“I’ll ask.”
He surveyed the room and picked up the umbrella he’d almost forgotten. “Do you see anything else we missed?”
“No.” She shivered again. “It’s freezing in here.”
“I bet the temperature outside dropped even more.” They left the small room and went to find Dean in the office.
He gave them several bags from the miniscule giftshop to use for their papers. In return, Jack purchased a magnet as a gift for his mother. Wouldn’t that be a story to tell on how he came to be on Weston Island?
After Dean named several places to inquire about accommodations for the night, along with a list of his three favorite restaurants, Jack and Anna left the museum.
The umbrella did little to stop the deluge of rain from soaking them. Guilt ate at him when he saw Anna’s teeth chatter. She had to be miserable. He remembered the thin blanket he kept behind the back seat of the crew cab.
He started the truck and turned on the heat, then leaned back, stretching to reach behind the far seat. Moving his hand, he searched blindly for the blanket, stopping when he felt the fabric. He brought it forward, wrapped it around Anna.
“Thank you.” She tugged it tightly around her body.
“Do you have a preference of where to stay?”
Her teeth stopped chattering. “If it’s warm and dry, it’s good with me.”
“Gotcha. The closest one is only a few blocks away. I’ll stop there and see if they have vacancies.”
Weston Inn also happened to be the only hotel on the island, albeit a small one. Most of the island’s lodging fell into the bed and breakfast category or rentable bungalows meant for more than a single night’s stay.
He parked under the porte-cochere and kept the truck running. “I’ll run in and make sure they have rooms available.”
“Thanks.” When she didn’t argue with him, he knew she was miserable despite the tight smile she gave him.
“I’ll be right back.” He left the car and walked through the opening where the doors automatically slid.
“Nasty day out there,” the front desk clerk, Alvin, said.
“Sure is. My friend and I hadn’t planned on staying overnight, but the weather had other ideas.”
Alvin clucked his tongue. “I’ve lived here twenty years and I’ve never seen the island blocked off except during a hurricane. This is a first, even for the long timers.”
“Would you have two rooms available? Preferably near each other?”
“I believe so.” Alvin typed on his keyboard. “You’re lucky. There are only three rooms total left. They’re all on a row on the second floor. You weren’t the only one caught off guard.”
“Great. I’d like two of them please.” He handed over his credit card and license. “Is there any place that would be open where we could purchase dry clothes and toiletries?”
“Once I finish checking you in, I’ll gather toiletries for you, compliments of Weston Inn and send them to your rooms. Is your guest male or female?” Alvin input information into the system as he spoke.
“Female.”
“If you don’t need the latest styles, there is a small dollar-type store behind the hotel. You won’t find much beyond cheap loungewear and undergarments, but they’ll be comfortable, and there is a laundry room on our second floor.”
“Thank you. I appreciate your help.”
